Expansion joint covering

ABSTRACT

An expansion joint cover includes an insulating cushion to be laid over a gap in a structure to be sealed. An intermediate flexible strip is sandwiched between the cushion and an outer flexible strip, both strips extending beyond the cushion. First and second rigid strips are attached to that side of the intermediate strip facing the outer strip adjacent to the edge of the cushion. Preferably, these rigid strips are perforated to help relieve shear strain when structure on opposite sides of the joint tends to shift along the length of the joint, and thermal stresses from ambient temperature changes.

United States Patent [151 3,694,976

Warshaw 51 Oct. 3, 1972 [54] EXPANSION JOINT COVERING 3,300,913 l/l967Patty et al ..52/573 X 72 Inventor: Stanley w warshaw, Technical3,375,621 4/1968 CUI'US fit a]. X

Coatings, Inc., 295 Reservoir St., Needham Heights, Mass 2194 PrimaryExaminerPnce C. Faw, Jr.

Att Ch 1 H k 221 Filed: Nov. 13, 1970 at es [211 App]. No.1 89,251 [57]ABSTRACT An expansion joint cover includes an insulating [52] US. Cl...52/58, 52/403, 52/472, cushion to be laid over a gap in a structure tobe 52/573 sealed. An intermediate flexible strip is sandwiched [51] Int.Cl ..E04b l/68, E04d 3/38 between the cushion and an outer flexiblestrip, both Field Of Seal'dl strips extending beyond the cushion. Firstand second 52/58 472 rigid strips are attached to that side of theintermediate strip facing the outer strip adjacent to the [56]References and edge of the cushion. Preferably, these rigid strips areUNITED STATES PATENTS perforated to help relieve shear strain whenstructure on opposite sides of the joint tends to shift along the Pattylength of the joint and thermal stresses from ambient 3,470,598 10/1969Berthelsen ..52/309 X temperature changes 2,314,523 3/1943 Speer..52/417 3,093,934 6/1963 Underhill ..52/573 X 10 Claims, 4 DrawingFigures iATENTED UB1 3 I972 SHEET 1 OF 2 STANLEY W. WARSHAW /nvenf0r ByM A zfomey PATENTEDHEIQ m2 3.694.976

sum 2 [IF 2 STANLEYMWARSHAW /nvenf0r A Home y EXPANSION JOINT COVERINGBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general toexpansion joint covering and more particularly concerns a novelexpansion joint cover that effects a good seal between structuralmembers joined thereby while allowing for expansion or contraction bothtransverse to and along the joint with a joint that is relatively easyand inexpensive to manufacture and install.

It is an important object of the invention to provide an improvedexpansion joint.

It is a further object of the invention to achieve the preceding objectwith an expansion joint that is relatively easy and inexpensive tomanufacture.

It is a further object of the invention to achieve one or more of thepreceding objects with an expansion joint that is relatively easy andinexpensive to install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is cushionmeans adapted to overlay the gap between members to be joined by theexpansion joint cover. An intermediate flexible strip having flapsextending beyond the cushion is bonded to the cushion. Rigid strips,preferably perforated, are bonded to each of the latter flaps adjacentto the cushion means. An outer flexible strip is bonded to theintermediate strip in the region between the metal strips. Preferablythe cushion and strips are made of synthetic rubber, neoprene or othersuitable flexible material. Preferably, the rigid strips are made ofsteel, aluminum, copper, plastic, fiber reinforced or not, or othersuitable material.

Numerous other features, objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from the following specification when read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of aportion of an expansion joint cover according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view through half of the expansion jointcover according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the invention covering a gap; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view through a short length of apertured strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference now to thedrawing and more particularly FIG. 1 thereof, there is a perspectiveview of a portion of an expansion joint cover according to theinvention. The length of an actual expansion joint cover extends manyfeet; however, the invention is adequately illustrated by the portionshown in FIG. 1. The invention comprises a strip of insulatingcushioning material 11 that is ordinarily centered over the expansionjoint bulging upward. Typically this cushioning material is made ofneoprene sponge or other suitable material. An intermediate flexiblestrip 12, which may be neoprene sheet, is bonded to the top 13 ofcushioning strip ll between the sides 14 and 15 of cushioning strip II.An upper strip 16 of flexible material, typically neoprene or othersuitable material, is bonded to the top 17 of intermediate strip 12between an extension of sides 14 and 15 of cushioning strip 11. Theresultant structure thus includes a left intermediate flap 21 and aright intermediate flap 22 and a left upper flap 23 and 24 extendingbeyond flaps 21 and 22, respectively. Intermediate strip' 12 is thus asingle continuous homogeneous sheet having left and right endscomprising left and right flaps 21 and 22, respectively.

Left and right perforated rigid strips 25 and 26, respectively, made ofgalvanized steel, stainless steel, copper or other suitable metal orplastic, are bonded to the tops 27 and 28, respectively, of leftintermediate flaps 21 and 22, respectively, closely adjacent to thejunctures 31 and 32, respectively, with left upper flap 23 and rightupper flap 24, respectively. Flaps 21 and 22 project beyond strips 25and 26, respectively. Although the rigid strips are preferablyperforated as shown for a number of reasons, unperforated rigid stripsmay be used within the principles of the invention. However,perforations are advantageous because the invention is better able toaccommodate shear stress along the joint caused by relative longitudinaldisplacement between the two structures joined by the expansion joint.Another advantage of having the metal strips perforated is that theweight of the expansion joint cover is reduced, thereby helping toreduce shipping costs and making it easier to carry during installation.A further advantage is that nails passing through the perforation, beingsmaller than the perforations, permit slight movement to relieve thermalstresses caused by ambient temperature changes without loosening thenails. Furthermore, adhesive and pitch lock into the perforations.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an enlarged half sectional view ofmost of the left side of the embodiment of FIG. 1 helpful inunderstanding the physical arrangement of the different elements, thesectional view being enlarged to better illustrate certain details. FIG.2 illustrates the layers of the bonding material 33 between upper strip16 and intermediate strip 12, the layer of bonding material 34 betweenintermediate strip 12 and cushioning strip 14 and the layer of bondingmaterial 35 between left metal strip 25 and left intermediate flap 21.Suitable bonding material is for example, a neoprene adhesive.

Having described the physical arrangement of the invention, the mode bywhich it may be attached will now be discussed. First, center theunderside of cushioning strip 11 over the gap between the structures ,tobe joined by the invention. Then nail, screw, staple or otherwise fastenmetal strips 25 and 26 to the structures joined by the expansion jointcover so that cushioning strip 11 is of inverted U-shape cross sectionwhen the gap is below the cushioning strip 11. Then apply hot roofingpitch and strapping felt to the tops of metal strips 25 and 26, of leftintermediate flap 21 and right intermediate flap 22 and that portion ofthe structure that will be slightly beyond those portions of left upperflap 23 and right upper flap 24 that extend beyond left intermediateflap 21 and right intermediate flap 22, respectively. Then firmly pressleft and right upper flaps 23 and 24 against the tops of metal strips 25and 26 and left intermediate flap 21' and right intermediate flap 22,respectively, and the pitched portions of the structure to be joined tocomplete the joint.

The resultant joint thus effects a good fluid-tight seal. MOreover, therigid strips 25 and 26 are protected from the weather so thatdeterioration is minimized to allow the rigid strips to providestructural rigidity for many years of service. The flexible strips underthe rigid strips permit slight shear movements to relieve thermalstresses caused by ambient temperature changes. The invention alsoproduces a good seal against slight surface irregularities that may bepresent in the substrate to which the invention is attached. Theprojections beyond the rigid strips also function as cushions when theinvention is used for curb construction. The flexible material betweenrigid strips 25 and 26 easily allows for relative displacement betweenthe structural members being joined transverse to the gap therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a sectional view of the invention inplace covering a gap 41. Roofing felt 42 overlays rigid strip 25 andflap 21. Felt and flaps are covered with pitch 43.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a sectional view through a shortlength of the strip 25 showing two apertures to illustrate how nails,such as 45 and 46 may, be used to secure the assembly to the structure47 adjacent to the gap while allowing play for relative longitudinalmovement between the expansion joint cover and the building structureadjacent to the gap that might be produced in the presence of ambienttemperature changes. It is seen that each of these roofing nails has ahead diameter greater than the diameter of each aperture and a shankdiameter less than the aperture diameter.

Although the invention for convenience has been described as if it weremounted horizontally, typically on the roof of a structure, theinvention may be oriented in any direction or variety of directions. Forexample, it may be used as a vertical expansion joint, between a roofand wall, or with slight adaptations embedded in concrete or otherbuilding materials. Corners and intersections, such as crossovers andtees, are easily fabricated at reduced cost.

The specific embodiment described herein is by way of example forillustrating the best mode now contemplated for practicing theinvention. Numerous different materials may be substituted for thosespecifically described within the principles of the invention. It isevident that those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses andmodifications of and departures from the specific embodiments describedherein without departing from the inventive concepts. Consequently, theinvention is to be construed as embracing each and every novel featureand novel combination of features present in or possessed by theapparatus and techniques herein disclosed and limited solely by thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Expansion joint cover apparatus comprising,

first cushioning strip means for covering a gap between two structuralmembers to be joined by said expansion joint cover means and having awidth sufi'icient to span said gap, intermediate flexible strip meanswider than said cushioning strip means secured to a first side of saidcushioning strip means along the entire width of said cushioning stripopposite the side thereof adapted for covering said gap and terminatingin left and right intermediate flaps extending beyond the width of saidcushioning strip means, upper flexible strip means wider than saidcushioning strip means and joined to said intermediate strip meansbetween said left and right intermediate flaps and having left and rightupper flaps, and left and right rigid strips secured to said left andright intermediate strip flaps respectively closely adjacent to thejunction with a respective left and right upper flap.

2. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid rigid strips are perforated.

3. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 1 whereinthe widths of said left and right intermediate flaps extend beyond thewidths of said left and right rigid strips respectively,

and the widths of said left and right upper flaps extend beyond thewidths of said left and rightintermediate'flaps respectively.

4. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 3 whereinsaid rigid strips are perforated.

5. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 4 for beingfastened with roofing nails having a head of a first diameter and ashank of a second diameter less than said first diameter wherein theopenings in said perforated metal strips have a span across each openingat least in a direction along the length of said gap that is greaterthan said second diameter and at least another dimension that is smallerthan said first diameter so that a roofing nail shank may pass through aperforation while the roofing nail head is prevented from passingtherethrough and said rigid strip may move slightly relative to theroofing nail in a direction along the length of said gap.

6. An expansion joint cover in accordance with claim 5 and furthercomprising,

said structural members separated by said gap,

means for fastening said left and right intermediate flaps to respectiveones of said structural members with said first cushioning strip meanscovering said p the latter means including said roofing nails with theshank of each roofing nail passing through a respective opening in saidstrip and through an intermediate flap which establishes a seal aroundthe roofing nail shank with a portion of the underside of the roofingnail heads in contact with the top of a rigid strip,

and means for fastening said left and right upper flaps to respectiveones of said structural members with the latter flaps covering the rigidstrips and the intermediate flaps.

7. Expansion joint cover apparatus for covering a gap between twostructural members to be joined by said expansion joint covercomprising,

first flexible strip mean that is a single continuous homogeneous sheetfor covering said gap and having a width sufficient to cover said gapand left and right ends of said sheet comprising left and right firststrip flaps respectively extending beyond the width of said gap,

second flexible strip means wider than said first flexible strip meansand joined to said first flexible strip means between said left andright first strip flaps and having left and right second strip flaps,

and left and right rigid strips secured to said left and right firststrip flaps respectively closely adjacent to the junction with arespective left and right second strip flap.

8. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 7 whereinsaid rigid strips are perforated.

9. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 8 for beingfastened with roofing nails having a head of a first diameter nd a shankof a second diameter less than said first diameter wherein the openingsin said perforated rigid strips have a span across each opening at leastin a direction along the length of said gap that is greater than saidsecond diameter and at least another dimension that is smaller than saidfirst diameter so that a roofing nail shank may pass through aperforation while the roofing nail head is prevented from passingtherethrough and said metal strip may move slightly relative to theroofing nail in a direction along the length of said gap.

10. An expansion joint cover in accordance with claim 9 and furthercomprising,

said structural members separated by said gap,

means for fastening said left and right first strip flaps to respectiveones of said structural members with the mid-secton of said firstflexible strip means covering said gap,

the latter means including said roofing nails with the shank of eachroofing nail passing through a respective opening in said strip andthrough an intermediate flap which establishes a seal around the roofingnail shank with a portion of the underside of the roofing nail heads incontact with the top of a rigid strip,

and means for fastening said left and right second strip flaps torespective ones of said structural members with the latter flapscovering the rigid strips.

1. Expansion joint cover apparatus comprising, first cushioning stripmeans for covering a gap between two structural members to be joined bysaid expansion joint cover means and having a width sufficient to spansaid gap, intermediate flexible strip means wider than said cushioningstrip means secured to a first side of said cushioning strip means alongthe entire width of said cushioning strip opposite the side thereofadapted for covering said gap and terminating in left and rightintermediate flaps extending beyond the width of said cushioning stripmeans, upper flexible strip means wider than said cushioning strip meansand joined to said intermediate strip means between said left and rightintermediate flaps and having left and right upper flaps, and left andright rigid strips secured to said left and right intermediate stripflaps respectively closely adjacent to the junction with a respectiveleft and right upper flap.
 2. Expansion joint cover apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said rigid strips are perforated. 3.Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein thewidths of said left and right intermediate flaps extend beyond thewidths of said left and right rigid strips respectively, and the widthsof said left and right upper flaps extend beyond the widths of said leftand right intermediate flaps respectively.
 4. Expansion joint coverapparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said rigid striPs areperforated.
 5. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim4 for being fastened with roofing nails having a head of a firstdiameter and a shank of a second diameter less than said first diameterwherein the openings in said perforated metal strips have a span acrosseach opening at least in a direction along the length of said gap thatis greater than said second diameter and at least another dimension thatis smaller than said first diameter so that a roofing nail shank maypass through a perforation while the roofing nail head is prevented frompassing therethrough and said rigid strip may move slightly relative tothe roofing nail in a direction along the length of said gap.
 6. Anexpansion joint cover in accordance with claim 5 and further comprising,said structural members separated by said gap, means for fastening saidleft and right intermediate flaps to respective ones of said structuralmembers with said first cushioning strip means covering said gap, thelatter means including said roofing nails with the shank of each roofingnail passing through a respective opening in said strip and through anintermediate flap which establishes a seal around the roofing nail shankwith a portion of the underside of the roofing nail heads in contactwith the top of a rigid strip, and means for fastening said left andright upper flaps to respective ones of said structural members with thelatter flaps covering the rigid strips and the intermediate flaps. 7.Expansion joint cover apparatus for covering a gap between twostructural members to be joined by said expansion joint covercomprising, first flexible strip mean that is a single continuoushomogeneous sheet for covering said gap and having a width sufficient tocover said gap and left and right ends of said sheet comprising left andright first strip flaps respectively extending beyond the width of saidgap, second flexible strip means wider than said first flexible stripmeans and joined to said first flexible strip means between said leftand right first strip flaps and having left and right second stripflaps, and left and right rigid strips secured to said left and rightfirst strip flaps respectively closely adjacent to the junction with arespective left and right second strip flap.
 8. Expansion joint coverapparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said rigid strips areperforated.
 9. Expansion joint cover apparatus in accordance with claim8 for being fastened with roofing nails having a head of a firstdiameter nd a shank of a second diameter less than said first diameterwherein the openings in said perforated rigid strips have a span acrosseach opening at least in a direction along the length of said gap thatis greater than said second diameter and at least another dimension thatis smaller than said first diameter so that a roofing nail shank maypass through a perforation while the roofing nail head is prevented frompassing therethrough and said metal strip may move slightly relative tothe roofing nail in a direction along the length of said gap.
 10. Anexpansion joint cover in accordance with claim 9 and further comprising,said structural members separated by said gap, means for fastening saidleft and right first strip flaps to respective ones of said structuralmembers with the mid-secton of said first flexible strip means coveringsaid gap, the latter means including said roofing nails with the shankof each roofing nail passing through a respective opening in said stripand through an intermediate flap which establishes a seal around theroofing nail shank with a portion of the underside of the roofing nailheads in contact with the top of a rigid strip, and means for fasteningsaid left and right second strip flaps to respective ones of saidstructural members with the latter flaps covering the rigid strips.